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First trans NFL cheerleader hopes to influence youth: 'I’m setting things up for the younger generation'
Image via @AroundtheNFL / X

First trans NFL cheerleader hopes to influence youth: 'I’m setting things up for the younger generation'

The NFL's first transgender cheerleader has entered his second season in the league and described being heartbroken over children not being able to play sports against kids of the opposite gender. He also said that he is sad to see states ban hormonal and medical procedures for youth.

Justine Lindsay, who dances for the Carolina Panthers TopCats cheerleading squad, said that he hopes to influence the next generation with his outspoken ways.

“Everything that I’m going through now, it’s bigger than me,” he told Elle. “I’m setting things up for the younger generation. No one is going to stop this show.”

Lindsay later equated becoming a transgender NFL cheerleader with becoming a doctor:

“I want to change the narrative for my trans sisters and brothers, just to [let them] know that if you have a goal, go for it,” he said. “Turn that dream into a reality. Be an NFL cheerleader, or a doctor or a nurse or whatever you set your mind to.”

The outlet noted that it breaks Lindsay's heart to know that states such as North Carolina are allegedly causing children to lose access to sports. This of course was a roundabout way of saying that male children are not allowed to compete against females in school sports, emphasizing that the boys were categorized as "biologically male.”

“I will fight this until I can’t fight any more,” Lindsay told the outlet. “It saddens me to see it,” he added regarding North Carolina's Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

Other cheerleaders on the squad agree with the sentiment of transgender and male members.

“It’s important for us to be able to show [that] this is for everybody, no matter your gender, how you look, anything,” TopCat Rockii Nelson said. “It’s important for fans to see that.”

The TopCats have at least one male on the team as well, despite having a reported three male members in 2021. The squad outshined the 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleading squad, who boasted having the first openly gay male dancer in NFL history join the team.

“We are a true example of what a great team looks like, and other teams can build off of that," Lindsay said, before concluding with “as long as these knees can drop it low and bring it up slow, I’ll be dancing."

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Andrew Chapados

Andrew Chapados

Andrew Chapados is a writer focusing on sports, culture, entertainment, gaming, and U.S. politics. The podcaster and former radio-broadcaster also served in the Canadian Armed Forces, which he confirms actually does exist.
@andrewsaystv →